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Megan Lynch

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) plays an important role in the function of the immune system. T cell receptors (TCR) are located on the surfaces of T lymphocytes (T cells) and bind to antigens found on MHC. This interaction is determined by the structure of TCR and the structural and electrostatic properties of the MHC binding region. There are, however, many variations of the MHC protein, each with different properties that compose the binding region and influence binding capabilities. My research considers both volumetric and electrostatic influences on binding affinity. The goal of this research is to create an accurate model predicting which bonds will or will not occur due to steric hindrance and electrostatic potential.